Summary
This 8-K filing from Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) provides supplemental, unaudited data on retail sales of machines and power systems for the three-month rolling periods ending May, April, and March 2017, compared to the prior year. This information is intended to offer insights into business trends and industry conditions, acknowledging that it is based on dealer and OEM reports and may not be fully accurate or complete. The data indicates a mixed but generally improving trend for retail machine sales globally, with significant growth in Asia/Pacific for both Construction and total machines. Construction Industries globally saw a positive 11% increase in retail sales for the three months ending May 2017, driven by strong performance in Asia/Pacific and Latin America. Resource Industries, however, experienced a decline in global retail sales. Energy & Transportation also showed a varied picture, with Power Generation and Industrial segments declining, while Oil & Gas and Transportation showed positive retail sales growth for the period ending May 2017. Investors should note that this data is a snapshot and is not a substitute for Caterpillar's official financial statements.
Key Highlights
- 1Global retail sales of machines showed a modest 8% increase for the 3-month rolling period ended May 2017, an improvement from the flat results in the prior two periods.
- 2Asia/Pacific region demonstrated strong growth across total machines (49% increase) and Construction Industries (52% increase) for the period ended May 2017.
- 3Construction Industries segment globally reported an 11% increase in retail sales for the 3-month period ended May 2017, suggesting improving demand in this sector.
- 4Resource Industries segment experienced a global decline in retail sales, down 3% for the period ended May 2017, indicating ongoing weakness in mining and related sectors.
- 5Energy & Transportation segment retail sales showed mixed results, with Oil & Gas and Transportation posting positive growth, while Power Generation and Industrial segments saw declines for the period ended May 2017.
- 6The data is unaudited and based on voluntary reports from dealers and OEMs, intended to provide an indication of trends rather than precise financial figures.